Former student testifies at bail hearing for Providence teacher accused of rape
by GABRIELLE CARACCIOLO, NBC 10 NEWS
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A now-suspended Providence public school teacher accused of raping a former student won’t have a decision on bail Tuesday.
Joseph Gannon faces rape and child pornography charges.
Both Gannon and a tearful former student appeared in court for the hearing.
No cameras were allowed because of the sensitive nature of the allegations and the fact the alleged victim was a minor at the time.
Gannon, 50, has been charged with two felonies: first-degree sexual assault and producing child pornography.
Gannon was arrested last month at Nathanael Greene Middle School, where he was a science teacher.
In court, the former student said Gannon was her teacher in seventh and eighth grades.
When she finished middle school, she said at first they kept in contact by email and then text.
She described confiding in him about an abusive home life and she said his texts turned sexual before he allegedly raped her.
Gannon shook his head while she testified.
Proceedings didn’t finish, so no decision was made on bail.
Gannon was suspended without pay from his teaching job.